Devon Rhodes Elected Captain for 2012-13

Junior Attacker Has Been One of Team's Top Two Scorers for Three Straight Seasons

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Yale women's lacrosse team has elected junior attacker Devon Rhodes (E. Northport, N.Y.) captain for the 2012-13 season. Rhodes was selected by a team vote Monday afternoon in the Captains' Room at Mory's during the team's annual banquet.

Rhodes finished second on the team in goals and points (21-6-27) this season. She trailed only senior attacker Caroline Crow (Davidsonville, Md.), the 2012 captain, in each category. One of the Bulldogs' most consistent offensive weapons, she scored exactly two goals in six of the final eight games she played. She had two hat tricks this year, including a four-goal, six-point game vs. Holy Cross in the season-opening 17-13 win.

"Knowing that I have the support of my teammates and the confidence of my coaches is a tremendous honor," said Rhodes. "It truly means a lot to me to be elected captain of such an extraordinary group. I have had the benefit of having three incredible team captains lead the team before me: Claire Eliasberg, Fielding Kidd and Caroline Crow. Their dedication and commitment to this program was exceptional. I will do everything in my power to continue the tradition and display the character, integrity and leadership that they have all exuded."

Rhodes has 64 goals, 18 assists and 82 points for her career. She led the team in goals, points and draw controls in each of her first two seasons and was a second team All-Ivy League selection in 2010.

After a stellar high school career, Rhodes came to Yale just as Anne Phillips was taking over as the team's Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Women's Lacrosse. Rhodes immediately proved that she could be a building block, scoring 27 goals as a freshman. She was just the fifth freshman in Yale history to lead the team in both goals and points, and one of her best games that year came against Yale's biggest rival -- eight goals, tied for second most in school history, in the 17-13 win over Harvard.

"Devon has always played under pressure," said Phillips. "It is fitting that now she has the chance to lead us in the final year of her career."

With 21 goals from Rhodes this season, the Bulldogs made dramatic strides offensively. They finished with 137 goals, their most since 2008, and improved on last year's goal total by 65 percent.

"We took a large step forward this year," said Phillips. "Devon can help keep the program moving forward."

Rhodes is Yale's top returning scorer, and the Bulldogs are far ahead of where they were last year in that category. They return 102 goals for next season, whereas they had only 70 returning goals after the 2011 season. The entire defense returns, as does sophomore starting goalkeeper Erin McMullan (Wading River, N.Y.).

"Caroline did an amazing job this year managing the team," said Rhodes. "She truly is the epitome of a team player, and she has taught me the importance of a tenacious work ethic and constant positivity. She is the type of player that leads by example, and her energy on and off the field will be greatly missed next year. We made a lot of progress this year as a team but as captain for next season, I hope to be able to lead the team even further. This particular group of girls is one of the most talented teams I have ever been a part of and I know that we are capable of achieving our ultimate of goal of winning an Ivy League Championship. I'm extremely hopeful for the future of our program and I know that success awaits us in 2013."

Rhodes is one of three juniors on the team, with midfielder Kristen Chapman (Belmont, Mass.) and defender Chloë Drimal (Darien, Conn.). She is an American studies major in Berkeley College. She came to Yale from Northport High, where she was a U.S. Lacrosse All-American and Academic All-American in 2008 and 2009. She played five years of varsity lacrosse at Northport, captaining the team to a 21-1 record and an undefeated Suffolk County championship -- the third of her career -- her senior year. She was named team MVP in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Rhodes also played on the Long Island Yellow Jackets Blue team.

Rhodes' brother Chris played lacrosse for Lehigh, and her brother Greg has committed to play lacrosse for Duke in 2012-13.

Rhodes leads Yale into its 38th varsity season. She is the eighth Yale women's lacrosse captain from New York.